We recognise the importance of strong risk management in organisations we invest in and specifically focus on Environmental, Social and Governance risks and disclosure as part of our investment process. Like all investment risks, there is significant risk from poor behaviour or limited reporting which can have significant costs to investors. For example, reputational risks can impact sentiment, and risk premiums as well as the ability of the company to access suitable business funding. There can be direct significant costs/fines or loss of customers, which impacts profitability and balance sheets from illegal or unethical activities.

There have been many academic studies highlighting the linkage between ESG factors and investments risk and returns. Governance plays a key role given it is management that are responsible for honouring the terms of issue and making the promised payments and the agreed times for debt securities.

We consider ASX listed companies annual reporting and disclosure for compliance with regard to these factors and ASX listing ESG disclosure requirements, as well as direct meetings with management where further research is required. As a direct outcome of our research we can exclude specific companies and securities from investment, based on our view of risks and expected returns.

We supplement our internal research with consideration of Bloomberg ESG scoring as part of the research process.